The Brussels Jewish Museum Attack

5 ways to respond.

Jewish life in Europe is fast becoming unsustainable. A quarter of European Jews are afraid to wear distinctive Jewish clothing or jewelry, and 23% are afraid to go to Jewish events or venues. Nearly a third of all European Jews are currently considered emigrating. A major 2013 study found that two thirds of European Jews feel anti-Semitism has had a negative impact on their lives.

Against this background of constant, grinding anti-Semitism, the latest horror occurred. On Saturday, May 24, 2014, a gunman entered the Jewish Museum of Belgium and opened fire, killing four people. The victims were a 23 year old employee of the museum, a Tel Aviv couple in their 50s who were vacationing in Brussels, and a museum volunteer. Although Belgian police arrested a man soon after the murders, he was soon released, and the police continued to search for the two men seen at the scene of the shooting.

In the hours after that attack, Belgian authorizes were quick to condemn not only the murders, but the climate of anti-Semitism that had allowed them to occur. Belgium’s Interior Minister immediately announced that security at all Jewish sites in Belgium had been increased. Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo made a statement in support of Belgium’s 42,000-strong Jewish community, saying all Belgians are united with them.

While their words are welcome, they are clearly not enough to assuage Belgian Jews’ fears; Belgium has recorded rising levels of anti-Semitism, with a 30% jump in recent years, reflecting a community increasingly under siege

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the attack on the growing climate of fear that is dogging Jews across Europe, calling it “the result of constant incitement against Jews and their state. Slander and lies against the State of Israel continue to be heard on European soil even as the crimes against humanity and acts of murder being perpetrated in our region are systemically ignored.”

“The spirit of Jewish people, the Jewish community here in Belgium, is really very, very low,” confirmed Raya Kalenova, a Brussels-based Executive Vice President of the European Jewish Congress. “They do not even report anti-Semitic attacks. They feel that it is useless to report and they do not feel protected. For sure, the general atmosphere is not good here in Belgium, especially because of anti-Israeli sentiment.”

That sentiment is growing. Three weeks before the Jewish Museum attack, Brussels was home to an anti-Jewish rally organized by the hard-core anti-Zionist MP Laurent Louis. The rally, featuring Holocaust deniers and the French anti-Israel comedian Dieudonné, was prohibited by the city authorities, but it managed to attract hundreds of supporters before being broken up by police. And at the time of the attack, Brussels was hosting another anti-Israel event, a major concert and rally in the central Parc du Cinquatenaire, which featured denunciations of the Jewish state.

As we mourn the shooting at the Jewish Museum of Brussels, what can we do to help combat the climate of hate that is stalking Jewish communities across Europe and beyond? How can we properly mourn these four victims, murdered in the heart of a major European capital simply for being Jews?

Here are five suggestions:

1. Stand together.

The shooting at the Jewish Museum of Brussels reminds us that no matter where we are, we are part of one Jewish people. Make an effort to feel that even though the victims may have been far away or different from us in language or in some other way, they are still our brothers and sisters. Their tragedy is our tragedy too.

2. Do good in their memory.

The Jewish answer to catastrophe is to respond with good. When we see evil in the world, the Torah asks us to work to increase the kindness and righteousness we put into the world, instead.

In the merit of the souls of those who were killed in the Jewish Museum of Belgium, consider taking on a new mitzvah, such as lighting Shabbat candles, or deciding to read a new Jewish text. Brainstorm with your family about a project you can take on to help others in their memory.

3. Fight hatred with pride.

The best defense against anti-Semitism is not being afraid to embrace Judaism and to learn more about it. Do something to deepen your connection with Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people today, in memory of the victims in Belgium who were killed because they were Jews.

4. Stand up to anti-Semitism.

Don’t be afraid to call anti-Semitism what it is: an irrational hatred of the Jewish people. Whether it’s applying an impossible double standard to the Jewish state, or belittling or slandering Jewish people or practice, take a stand against anti-Jewish statements.

Resist the urge to rationalize this act. Nothing can ever justify the murder of innocent people.

5. Volunteer in your community.

It’s not only Jews in Belgium who need our help. In the merit of those who were murdered in Brussels, take a look at your own local Jewish community. What needs are there in your own local neighborhood?

Try volunteering close to home. In addition to aiding others, turning to our communities in times of crisis can help us create new connections with our fellow Jews, and also can help us strengthen ourselves.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Yvette Alt Miller earned her B.A. at Harvard University. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Jewish Studies at Oxford University, and has a Ph.D. In International Relations from the London School of Economics. She lives with her family in Chicago, and has lectured internationally on Jewish topics. Her book Angels at the table: a Practical Guide to Celebrating Shabbat takes readers through the rituals of Shabbat and more, explaining the full beautiful spectrum of Jewish traditions with warmth and humor. It has been praised as "life-changing", a modern classic, and used in classes and discussion groups around the world.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 31

(24)
Anonymous,
May 27, 2014 2:03 AM

Great!

This is great! Thank you so much for posting it. It's sad that it's needed...

(23)
Kristine Willems,
May 26, 2014 10:19 PM

Mijn diepe medeleven met de getroffen families...

once I volunteered in this Museum… why this hatred ?Oh G,D hear our prayers!

(22)
Monica,
May 26, 2014 7:56 PM

Combating Anti-Semitism

Fight back! Don't just talk back. You give those anti-Semites a black eye or a broken nose .... They'll stop. I know - I've done it! Better yet, carry a weapon ... ! We Jews outside of Israel have to get tough ....

(21)
ray,
May 26, 2014 7:11 PM

what about prayer?

any reason this was ommitted?

(20)
Batya Rosen,
May 26, 2014 10:36 AM

The only true response

As someone who at age 21 (alone, over 40 years ago )left where I was born to come home to Eretz Israel .I say

there is only one answer...aliya. Baruch HaShem we can freely come to Israel not as before and during the Shoah when the gates toEretz Israel and 90% of the world where slammed in our faces and Am Israel was sent back to the "Final Solution".Brothers and sisters in Europe (for that matter all Jews in Galut (the Diaspora) COME HOME!!

(19)
Pamela,
May 26, 2014 6:29 AM

Correction

Please note that the 23 year-old museum employee did not die, as initially reported. He or she is currently in very serious condition and needs our prayers. Thank you.

(18)
Anonymous,
May 26, 2014 6:09 AM

SA Jews have an effective SECURITY CSO and CAP - speak to our Chief Rabbi who initiated the programme

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims families

(17)
Alexander K Yeboah,,
May 26, 2014 5:54 AM

shameful and barbaric.

Isreal will continue to be Isreal and no amount of anti Semetism will strong will of thr Jewish people. I encourage every Jew where to be calm for the battle is of the Lord. May the family of dead be comforted. A hypocritical world! Shame to the cowards. Alex

(16)
Liz,
May 26, 2014 12:28 AM

mpotence

There is an impotence what to do to fight against the insidious lies against Israel, against Jews and the 'rise' of anti-semitism (I would say, more like it has been woken from it's dormancy).

I've no urge to rationalise anti-semitism, far from it. Hate is hate and those who are fanatically against us, I assure you, won't be changed.

The 'tolerant', liberal minded people in Europe have allowed this climate to infect and fester. It is a given that Israel is vilified, characterised as always the baddie, ignoring history, facts and truth that isn't convenient..

Elie Wiesel's words on fanaticism should be taken to heart by everyone,:http://www.thehypertexts.com/Essays%20Articles%20Reviews%20Prose/Elie_Wiesel_Essay_How_Can_We_Understand_Their_Hatred.htm

Unfortunately, the ones who are not quite fanatics, find it easy to believe the lies as well. It is them we should focus our dialog with. Yet they are cowered by the very real repercussions they possibly face.

'To stem fanaticism, we must first fight indifference to evil … We fight indifference through education; we diminish it through compassion.'

(15)
Donald Krausz,
May 25, 2014 9:14 PM

Let the media show respect at time of tragedy.

I watched the news report of the Brussels atrocity. The BBC video showed the Belgian policemen standing at the scene grinning.

A good start would be to get the police to instruct their cops to wipe the smiles off their stupid faces in such cases.

(14)
Y.e,
May 25, 2014 8:59 PM

Museum on Saturday

Just a question, why was a jewish museum open on Saturday?

(13)
Stephen Chelms,
May 25, 2014 6:02 PM

Anti-Semitism

I have made aliyah but I am in contact with the UK every day. People and Jews from here and all over the world are very concerned about the increasing level of anti-Semitism in the UK. I do not think it exists in any serious way if at all. However, if you do have evidence I would like to see it. Thank you SC.

(12)
Helena,
May 25, 2014 5:21 PM

Deal God, please comfort and strengthen the Jews when they face anti-Semitism. Please protect the land -the Jewish state -You have promised for them. Amen.

(11)
Steven,
May 25, 2014 4:49 PM

Condolence to family and friend for loss of loved once.

This incident against Jewish people like many other incidents must strengthen us, bring us more together and stand for each other. We must support each other every way, spiritually, help once to continuum education, help once with job, help our organizations, Ocean is made of drops, every drop counts. Cheers

Raymond Dreyfuss,
May 25, 2014 9:07 PM

why this is happening ?

This is happening because, our president here in the states as praysed Islamo Fachists, so this as snowballed all over the world, Un fortunatly 70% of Jews voted for him giving him the green light, by way of his and his secratery of state, that Israel is an Apartheid Stat and should return to the 67 borders, well Israel was attacked so she had to win and keep those terroties, if the Arabs and some Europeans dont like it, well why dont they give everything back to Austro Hungarian Empire, and other European nations follow suit .Well there is one way, to stop this, it is bullets to head of all anti-semites leaders i am sure that would stop them, and their hatred !

(10)
Anonymous,
May 25, 2014 4:34 PM

A sixth suggestion

What we do among ourselves is certainly a worthy start but we can and should go much farther.. Equally important is to enlist and recognize public support and assistance from other communities. Imagine how many more might have been spared the Shoah had there been more righteous gentiles like Raoul Wallenberg and Chiune Sugihara, to name just two of the better known examples of the many honored at Yad Vashem. This is the clear meaning of Hillel: ”If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” (Pirkei Avos 1:14) We need all the allies we can get.

(9)
Rob Porter,
May 25, 2014 4:21 PM

Learn to effectively protect yourselves and loved ones.

I suggest that Jews take note of what the Jewish Defence League in Toronto, Canada is doing, offering courses in the art of physical self-protection. Don't just protect yourselves, learn how to totally disable an attacker.

Samson,
May 25, 2014 11:36 PM

Self Defense

* קְרַב מַגָּע*

Krav Maga

(oh and my .50 caliber Desert Eagle)

(8)
dougjmiller,
May 25, 2014 3:41 PM

Anti-Semitic murders

The mainstream media and EU leaders fan the flames of anti-Semitism every day. This terrorist attack and the lack of outrage demonstrates that the Nazis and their Moslem co-conspirators won WWII. Deepest condolences to the families and the friends of the murder victims.

(7)
Anonymous,
May 25, 2014 3:18 PM

Surprised

This comment in no way seeks to justify the terrorist butchery and atrocity committed : I was wondering though why a Jewish institution would be open on a Saturday, which is Shabbat? This is a foreign concept to me, coming from Australia, I don't remember any Jewish communal or representative building other than a synagogue being open on Shabbat. I hope I won't get "bashed" for making this observation....

Stephen,
May 27, 2014 8:09 AM

Open on Shabbat

Anonymous, as a South African, I completely relate to your comment. You should not have to be defensive about it. The article speaks of needing to embrace our Judaism. Although every Jew practices in their own private way I can't think of anything more Jewish than shabbat, and as in Australia this is also honored by our public communal institutions.. "More than Jews have kept shabbat, shabbat has kept the Jews"

"Although Belgian police arrested a man soon after the murders, he was soon released." so he can kill again ?

(4)
Chaiah,
May 25, 2014 2:30 PM

You missed the best solution

Make Aliyah.. Do what Rabbi Kahane did and not only defend ourselves, but be who we are in our land, with our people.

(3)
Michael,
May 25, 2014 2:21 PM

Anti-Israel is not always anti-Jewish

Just a note that while anti-Semitism often includes Israel, being against Israeli policies as the pertain to settlements, military responses, etc. is not a clear sign of anti-Semitism.

Anonymous,
May 25, 2014 10:54 PM

Martin Luther King thought it was

He said that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. And if you actually learn the truth about"settlements, military responses etc." instead of simply parroting what you may have heard in mass media or from critics of Israel, you will understand that Martin Luther King was right.

(2)
Robin Rosenblatt,
May 25, 2014 2:20 PM

Leave now

Jews must leave Europe now and not wait until it is to late as they did last time.

(1)
S.Barkan,
May 25, 2014 2:08 PM

Antisemitism in Brussels

We are leaving in the 21 century.
The Jewish community worldwide is stronger than ever.
We have our own state
Willing and always ready to stand up for us but the community must be willing to stand up for their own rights as well.Do as Meir Kahane did in New York .
Meir Kahane gained recognition as an activist for Jewish causes by organizing Jewish self-defense groups in deteriorating neighborhoods .
Come on 42,000 Belgium Jews , get united.

Regine Zavier,
May 25, 2014 3:10 PM

Read about JDL & Rabbi Kahane

Jewish children should be taught self -defense from the earliest age. Every Jew everywhere should be armed. We know In every generation the antisemite will try to destroy us and we must understand this.

Stephen,
May 25, 2014 3:58 PM

Response # 2 in the article seems tricky.

CAREFUL! If we go overboard the "world" will perceive reward for doing the antisemitism because they have gained something from antisemitic behavior. We want behavior modification toward the positive - not reinforcement of the negative. Ultimately, the "world" only responds to reward or lack of reward. We should have learned lessons from the holocaust and pogroms turning the other cheek does no always work. Please reply with comments.

StanleyT,
May 25, 2014 10:52 PM

Huh?

I don't understand? You say that we should "reward" the world for anti-Semitism (presumably by teaching our children self-defence, since that is the post you were responding to) and yet you also say that turning the other cheek does not always work? Which is it?

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!